Hiroshi Ono

Development of polarization imaging technology in IR and THz regions by using geometric phase diffractive elements

Research Director

Hiroshi Ono

Collaborator

Nobuhiro Kawatsuki	Professor Graduate School of Engineering University of Hyogo
Masayuki Tanaka	President OPT Gate Company, Limited

Outline

In this study, we develop an active phase modulator and a high-efficiency circular polarization beam splitter that can operate at IR and THz regions by combining the liquid crystal photonic structures made of photoalignment liquid crystal polymer and the metamaterials made of metal. Based on the developed geometric phase diffractive elements, we also assemble a polarization probe polarization imaging (PPPI) system for IR and THz polarization image measurement. In addition, by collaborating with several Japanese companies, we demonstrate the application examples of the PPPI system, such as a LiDAR and an environmental measurement, to show the practicality of the PPPI system and make it into a product.

Yoshiaki Kanamori

Innovation in nonlinear photonics using time varying metamaterials

Research Director

Yoshiaki Kanamori

Collaborator

Nobuaki Kikuchi	Associate Professor Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials Tohoku University
Satoshi Tomita	Associate Professor Institute for Excellence in Higher Education Tohoku University

Outline

We will create time varying metamaterials by integrating microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and ultrahigh frequency magnetic materials. An artificial Raman effect with nonlinear optical processes in the metamaterials gives rise to frequency shifts of input microwaves and millimeter waves, enabling us to realize tunable, portable, high power , and room temperature operated THz light source devices. Our project leads to innovation in nonlinear photonics using time varying metamaterials for Beyond 5G and 6G mobile communication technologies.

Takahide Sakamoto

Ultrafast super-resoution optical sensor for captureing spatio-temporal information

Research Director

Takahide Sakamoto

Collaborator

Fuminori Sakai	President Engineering Department Sakura Tech　Corporation
Ryo Takigawa	Associate Professor Graduate School and Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering Kyushu University
Atsushi Matsuda	Senior researcher Advanced ICT Research Institute National Institute of Information and Communications Technology.
Yuya Yamaguchi	Tenure-track researcher Network Research Institute, Photonic ICT Research Center National Institute of Information and Communications Technology

Outline

We demonstrate a novel optical sensor that enables both ultrafast and super-resolution measurements in the time and spatial domain, respectively. Our technology integrates the temporal and spatial measurements, which are in typical investigated individually taking different approaches. In the sensor, the measurement resources can be adaptively assigned to the temporal and spatial region and flexibly applicable to ultrafast and/or super-resolution measurements using the common sensor hardware.

Norihiko Nishizawa

Development of innovative spectroscopic techniques for environmental measurements using freely controllable optical frequency comb

Research Director

Norihiko Nishizawa

Collaborator

Hisashi Abe

Chief Senior Researcher Research Institute for Material and Chemical Measurement National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Outline

In this work, we develop a freely controllable optical frequency comb, in which desired ultra-narrow comb modes are selected, amplified, and controlled through nonlinear optical effects. We combine this flexible comb source with state-of-the-art cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS), aiming to realize innovative, highly sensitive, and highly accurate spectroscopic techniques for environmental measurements. Employing these newly developed spectroscopic techniques, we realize highly sensitive measurements of environmental trace species, such as Tritium and trace water vapor.

Yoshiaki Yasuno

Computationally-augmented optical cohernece microscoppy for label-free imaging of living tissue

Research Director

Yoshiaki Yasuno

Collaborator

Satoshi Matsusaka

Professor Faculty of Medicine University of Tsukuba

Outline

This project aims at establishing a new label-free three-dimensional optical coherence microscope for label-free three-dimensional imaging of living tissue; so-called computationally augmented optical coherence microscope (CA-OCM). In order to establish this new imaging methodology, we first develop four-dimensional Fourier imaging theory and build a new microscope hardware; zero-numerical-aperture (NA) OCM. This new hardware images the sample with an extremely low incident NA. In addition. Several computational methods are going to be developed. These computational methods process the interference signals obtained by the OCM and provide fine tissue structure, and tissue activity information, polarization information. CA-OCM is applied to in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo tumor samples, and its application protocols are established.